Steepest Trail in MA?

[maplevalleymaster]

I remember a little while back there was a discussion on what the steepest trails were in states in the northeast. In MA, it was between Jericho at Jiminy and Berkshire East. However I just noticed that Catamount considers themselves to have the steepest run (Catapult) in the Berkshires and also one of the steepest in the northeast. I have never skied Catamount, but can anyone confirm this claim?

 

[threecy]

Beast at Berkshire East. No comparison to any other official trail at B-East, Catamount, or Jiminy.

 

[shpride]

Beast at Berkshire East. No comparison to any other official trail at B-East, Catamount, or Jiminy.

I have to get on this trail at some point. I have been to Berkshire East tons of times, and haven't even seen the opening for the trail

 

[Grassi21]

I have to get on this trail at some point. I have been to Berkshire East tons of times, and haven't even seen the opening for the trail

I have skied all of the above accept Beast at BEast. Of the ones I have skied I'd say Catapult is the steepest. The day Greg, bvibert, ALLSKIING and I skied the Berkshire East only ALLSKING and Greg hit it. I know Greg has skied Catapult, not sure about ALLSKIING. Greg can probably offer a fair comparison.

 

[ALLSKIING]

The beast is a very tight trail but I don't think its any steeper then the others. The day I skied catamount Catapult was closed but each time you ride the lift you get a nice look at it. I think that last part of jericho is the steepest thing I have skied in Ma. Overall trail though.....I would say beast or catapult.

 

[2knees]

how about Slalom at Otis (my man) Ridge? Heard that was actually steep for a little ski area.

 

[Phildozer]

how about Slalom at Otis (my man) .

Thanks for making me nearly choke-to-death on my lunch after reading this.

 

[threecy]

The beast is a very tight trail but I don't think its any steeper then the others. The day I skied catamount Catapult was closed but each time you ride the lift you get a nice look at it. I think that last part of jericho is the steepest thing I have skied in Ma. Overall trail though.....I would say beast or catapult.

Beast was too steep to stump...in fact, if you continue a few dozen feet southwest on that ridge, it turns to cliff. Definitely the steepest marked trail south of Magic/MRG (there's steeper at B-East, but its out of bounds).

 

[ALLSKIING]

Definitely the steepest marked trail south of Magic/MRG (there's steeper at B-East, but its out of bounds).

Are you saying that south of MRG, Magic is the only place that has a trail steeper then the beast?

 

[threecy]

Are you saying that south of MRG, Magic is the only place that has a trail steeper then the beast?

I'm just going by popular opinion. I'd say Magic personally.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I'm just going by popular opinion. I'd say Magic personally.

Really?? Ripcord at snow I think is way steeper...Hell I would even say world cup at Stratton might be steeper.

 

[Newpylong]

Beast is the steepest trail in MA I believe. As for being the steepest marked run south of MRG? Not a chance... Ripcord makes it look like a bunny slope, even being 50 feet wide.

 

[maplevalleymaster]

Here's the link:

http://www.catamountski.com/mountain/trail-map.cfm

 

[skiNEwhere]

the main trail at blue hills is pretty steep. And I dont't know if they do this anymore, cuz I haven't been there in ages, but they used to open up the "trail" under the chairlift when they got enough snow, that was very steep as well

 

[AMAC2233]

the main trail at blue hills is pretty steep. And I dont't know if they do this anymore, cuz I haven't been there in ages, but they used to open up the "trail" under the chairlift when they got enough snow, that was very steep as well

They still open that trail, however, they have not done it in quite a few years (03-04 maybe?)

 

[threecy]

Ripcord gets a built up headwall. If B-East actually saw some snowmaking, it'd match it no problem. Natural snow only, same pitch. Ripcord is certainly longer, though. Stratton has nothing on piste steeper than B-East or Magic's steepest...though when you compare their steeps to the rest of their terrain, anything seems to have a good pitch

 

[Newpylong]

Ripcord gets a built up headwall. If B-East actually saw some snowmaking, it'd match it no problem. Natural snow only, same pitch. Ripcord is certainly longer, though. Stratton has nothing on piste steeper than B-East or Magic's steepest...though when you compare their steeps to the rest of their terrain, anything seems to have a good pitch

Nope. Even with the manmade mounds on the top of the headwall, it is still much steeper. It requires seeing/hiking the trail without snow to see for yourself. The Beast trail appears to have more pitch due to the claustrophobia effect of being so narrow as well. I don't even think the upper pitch of Umass is much mellower, its just wide and sees grooming.

 

[bobbutts]

Nope. Even with the manmade mounds on the top of the headwall, it is still much steeper. It requires seeing/hiking the trail without snow to see for yourself. The Beast trail appears to have more pitch due to the claustrophobia effect of being so narrow as well. I don't even think the upper pitch of Umass is much mellower, its just wide and sees grooming.

absolutely agreed

 

[Greg]

Nope. Even with the manmade mounds on the top of the headwall, it is still much steeper. It requires seeing/hiking the trail without snow to see for yourself. The Beast trail appears to have more pitch due to the claustrophobia effect of being so narrow as well. I don't even think the upper pitch of Umass is much mellower, its just wide and sees grooming.

Right. Due to it being lightly gladed, Beast is definitely the most challenging. It's also pretty steep, but short, as is Catapault. The only really steep part of Jericho (lower) is pretty short too. Overall, in terms of pitch, I would say they are pretty comparable. I think Catapault has the most sustained pitch of the three though.

Any claim of Beast being the steepest south of MRG is laughable. This would include Sugarbush and Killington, no? South of Magic? Doubtful as it's even arguable between Beast, Catapault and Jericho. Any trail could be considered steepest if you take just the steepest 200 or 300 vertical feet. Anyone remember Denton? :lol: We need someone to break out Google Earth, some topos and some trig!

 

[Newpylong]

For sure, no question. Beast is the most challenging, unlike any other in MA. No question there... Jericho and Catapult are so wide, you don't even notice the pitch. Even though Ripcord is pretty wide, it is just so steep if you f-up you're going to get in trouble quick. I've seen people lose it and have to get sledded out more times than I can count. Luckily, most herbs get a look from below at River Run and thankfully chose not to try it! ha Its the only run this far south that I actually gather myself at the top for a minute : ) I had so many good runs on that trail this winter. Ironic that the rest of the mountain is so flat! All of this talk makes me want to ski baddddddd.